The Byzantine Empire lasted from around 500 to 1453 CE, when it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Constantinople was ideally situated as the Byzantine capital, located between Europe and Asia at the crossroads of major trade routes. Life in Constantinople was more advanced than in Western Europe at the time, with infrastructure like sewers, hospitals, and social services. After a rebellion damaged parts of the city, Emperor Justinian embarked on major reconstruction projects, including building the iconic Hagia Sophia cathedral. Religion and government were closely intertwined in the Byzantine Empire. Tensions grew between the Eastern Orthodox Church and Western Catholic Church, culminating in their formal split in 1054.

1. Chapter 6
The Byzantine Empire

2. 1. How long did the Byzantine Empire
last and who conquered it?
It lasted from about 500 to 1453 c.e.
The Ottoman Turks conquered it.

3. 6.2 ~ Constantinople

4. 1. Why was Constantinople ideally located to
be the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Constantinople was easy to defend and it
lay at the crossroads of many sea and
overland trade routes linking east and
west. (located between Europe and Asia.)

5. 2. What were some of Constantinople’s main
features?
Constantinople was surrounded by water on three sides
fortified by miles of walls with Watchtowers and gates.
A large chain protected the mouth of its harbor.
The city had a sewer system, hospitals, homes for the
elderly, and orphanages.

6. 3. What was daily life like in Constantinople?
Life in Constantinople was more advanced than in
western Europe.
The city’s language and culture were Greek, but traders
and visitors spoke many languages.
Most people lived in poverty. Many people attended
chariot races.
The emperor gave bread to the unemployed, who did
public works in exchange.

7. 6.3 ~ The Reign of
Justinian

8. 1. What event forced Justinian to start
rebuilding parts of Constantinople?
Large parts of the city were ruined when
fighting in the Hippodrome spilled into
the streets and escalated into a rebellion.

9. 2. What were some of the improvements made to
Constantinople as a result of Justinian’s public
works project?
New bridges, public baths, parks, roads,
and hospitals were built.
In addition, the Hagia Sophia, a grand
cathedral, was built.

10. 3. How has Justinian’s Code affected the modern
world?
Justinian’s Code is the basis (framework)
for many legal codes in the western world.

11. 6.4 ~ The Eastern
Orthodox Church

12. and government in the
Byzantine Empire?
Religion and government were closely linked.
The emperor was believed to be both the
head of the government and the living
representative of Jesus Christ.

13. 2. How did the Eastern Orthodox Church play
a central role in the daily life of Byzantines?
Most people attended church regularly and
received sacraments at every stage of their
lives.
Monasteries and convents cared for the poor
and sick.

14. 6.5 ~ Conflict
between
East and West
East and West

15. 1. Why did Byzantine emperor Leo III forbid
the use of icons in 730? How did the pope
react to Leo’s order?
Emperor Leo III believed that people were
wrongly worshiping the icons.
Pope Gregory III excommunicated the
emperor.

16. 2. What event in 800 increased tensions
between the east and west?
In 800, Pope Leo III crowned
Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, as
Holy Roman emperor.
This outraged the Byzantines, who felt
their empress (Empress Irene) was the
rightful ruler of what was left of the
Roman Empire.

17. 3. How did the relationship between the
Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman
Catholic Church change in 1054?
In 1054, a schism, or formal division,
resulted in the Eastern Orthodox Church
and the Roman Catholic Church becoming
two separate Christian churches.

18. Review through
Pictures

19. Working with the
person next to you,
discuss the pictures
that are displayed.

20. Location of Constantinople

21. Justinian’s
Code

22. Religion &
Government

23. Justinian’s Public Works Projects

24. Hippodrome ~ Revolt by Blues & Greens

25. Hagia Sophia

26. Iconoclasm

27. Empress Irene
Charlemagne

28. Watchtowers
Chain across the
Golden Horn

29. 1054
Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church